Hair curlers



1952 L. A. SCHROCK 3,01

HAIR CURLERS Filed March 24, 1960 INVENTOR.

7 v Lou/3e Ab Sch/"oak BY ATTORNEY '2 I Patented Jan. 16, 1962 3,016,999 HAIR QURLERS Louise Ahy Schrock, 1260 E. 29th Place, Tulsa, Skin. Filed Mar. 24, 1960, Ser. No. 17,371 2 Claims. (Cl. 132-40) This invention relates to improvements in hair dressing devices, and more particularly, but not by way of limitatron, to an improved hair curler designed and constructed for enhancing the comfort of milady, particularly during sleeping hours with the hair dressed in the curlers.

Many women today roll or wind their hair around curling rods, and the like, for a daily dressing thereof to supplement visits to the beauty shop and to maintain a pleasing and attractive appearance for the hair. It is common practice to set the hair, or put the hair up at night whereby the hair will be curled while milady sleeps. The usual curling rods in widespread use today are extremely uncomfortable for sleeping on, and as a result, there have been many efforts to provide a curler which will efficiently curl the hair and yet enhance the comfort of milady while she sleeps, such as the L. Spencer Patent No. 2,525,750, issued October 10, 1950, and entitled Hair Curler, and the M. L. Leste Patent No. 2,728,347, issued December 27, 1955, and entitled Hair Roller. In practical applications, however, it has been found that it is difficult to maintain the curlers in position tightly adjacent the head, and in addition, many of the soft curlers do not provide enough rigidity to result in an efficient or pleasing curling of the hair. Many types of tubular curlers have been developed, such as disclosed in the N. L. Solomon Patent No. 2,321,709, issued June 15, 1943, and entitled Featherweight Hair Curler, and which are secured to the hair by bobby pins, and the like. This type of curler usually remains tightly secured in the hair, but is extremely uncomfortable during sleeping hours. Furthermore, it has been found that the average woman dressing her own hair has considerable difficulty in wrapping the hair around these tubular curlers in that the extreme ends of the hair do not tend to cling thereto. Brushes, and the like, have been inserted into tubular type curlers in order to grasp the hair more firmly and facilitate rolling of the hair therearound, but these brushes have been found to severely damage the ends of the hair.

The present invention contemplates a novel hair curler particularly designed and constructed to provide a dual or two-fold purpose. The novel curler is provided with a rigid inner core having a padding therearound whereby an efficient curling of the hair may be accomplished, while at the same time the comfort to milady is enhanced during sleeping with the hair dressed in the curlers. In addition, the hair tends to adhere or cling to the outer padding on the curlers, thus greatly facilitating the rolling of the hair therearound. The padding does not in any manner harm the hair during the rolling or unrolling of the hair therearound and absorbs moisture from dampened hair for reducing the drying time thereof. The novel curlers are not only of particular advantage in the dressing of ones own hair, but also greatly facilitate the handling and dressing of the hair by a professional beautician.

It is an important object of this invention to provide an improved hair curler particularly designed and constructed for facilitating the dressing of ones own hair.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel hair curler wherein there is sufficient rigidity to assure an efficient curling of the hair.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel hair curler wherein the comfort of utilization thereof is greatly enhanced.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a hair curler wherein the hair tends to cling to the curler for facilitating setting or dressing of the hair and substantially reducing damage to the hair.

A further object of this invention is to provide a hair curler so designed and constructed to greatly reduce the time required for setting of the hair.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel hair curler wherein the drying time of dampened hair wound thereon is substantially reduced.

And a still further object of this invention is to provide a novel hair curler which is simple and efiicient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Oiher objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a section l elevational view of a hair curler embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a hair curler embodving the invention.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a hair curler embodving the invention and depicting the initial step of rolli g a hair tress therearound.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 depicting the final step in the rolling or securing of a hair tress therearound.

FlGURE 5 is an end view of a hair curler embodying the invention.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a. hair curler embodvin a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a hair curler em bod ing still another modification of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly FIGS. 1 through 5. reference character 10 refers in general to a hair curler or rod comprising an inner core or mandrel member 12 having a suitable padding l4 disposed therearound. The core member 12 is preferably tubular and may be constructed from any suitable rigid material, rigid mesh, or the like. The padding 14 is preferably constructed from sponge or foam rubber sheeting material, but not limited thereto, and may be provided with an adhesive surface 16 adjacent the core 12 for adhering thereto. The abutting edges of the padding 14 provide a seam 18 extending longitudinally throughout the length of the curler 10. The seam 18 may be secured by sewing, or the like, as indicated at 20, or may be provided with an adhesive (not shown) for adhering together.

It will be apparent that the padding 14 may be constructed of a tubular configuration whereby the core 12 may be inserted therein, if desired. In this instance, it is preferable that the surface 16 of the padding 14 not be adhesive, but the padding may be secured to the core in any suitable manner (not shown). in addition, the padding 14 may be of substantially any desired thickness in order to provide an outer diameter for the curler 10 in accordance with the desired curling effect for the hair. For example, in many instances it is desirable to provide a curler of a relatively small outer diameter for elfecting a substantially tight curl for the hair. In other instances, it is desirable to provide a relatively large outer diameter for the curler whereby a loose or casual type of curl may be imparted to the hair. By varying the thickness of the padding 14, it is possible to provide a variety of diameter sizes with the utilization of a core member of a single standard size diameter. Of course, the size of the core may also be varied in order to provide a variety of sizes for the curler, if desired. Furthermore, the padding 14 may comprise a plurality of layers (not shown) of the foam rubber material, or may be one unitary layer, as shown herein.

In order to roll or wind a hair tress or lock of hair 22 on the curler 10, the curler may be manually disposed in the proximity of the end portion 24 of the tress 22, as shown in FIG. 3. The ends 24 tend to adhere or cling to the outer periphery of the foam rubber padding 14, thus facilitating the initial step in the hair dressing operation. It is preferable to manipulate the curler in such a manner that the ends 24 are disposed substantially in the longitudinal center of the curler 10 whereby the opposed ends of the curler may be manually grasped for rotating the curler about the longitudinal axis thereof. The tress 2 2 will wind readily around the outer periphery of the padding 14, particularly since the hair tends to cling to the padding material, whereby the curler 10 will roll upwardly on the tress into a position adjacent miladys head for forming a hair curl 25 thereon.

The curler 10 may be securely retained in position tightly against the head by a suitable clasping or gripping member, such as a bobby pin 26, or the like. One leg 28 of the pin 26 may be inserted into the internal bore 30 of the core 12 and the second leg 32 of the pin 26 will extend longitudinally along the outer periphery of the padding 14 for clamping the hair curl 25 thereon, as shown in FIG. 4. The leg 32 is depicted on the outer or exposed portion of the curl 25 for purposes of illustration. However, in actual practice it is preferable to insert the leg 28 within the core 12 in such a manner that the leg 32 will be interposed between the curler 10 and miladys head. In this manner, the curler 10 may be retained in position tightly adjacent the head, thus assuring that the curler will remain securely in place throughout the length of time required for setting of the curl 25 in the hair. The pin 26 will also secure the curler It) in a loose position or lowered position on the tress, if desired, thus facilitating the dressing of the hair for substantially any hair style.

The padding material 14 is soft and provides comfort for milady during the sleeping hours when the hair is wound on the curlers It). The padding 14 also tends to absorb moisture from dampened hair to reduce the drying time thereof. The rigidity of the core member 12 provides for an eflicient forming of the curl 25, even during the sleeping hours when pressure is applied radially to the curlers, thus assuring that the curl 25 will retain a substantially cylindrical or circular configuration during the setting time for the hair. Thus, the curler 10 provides a dual purpose, namely, an efiicient curling of the hair by maintaining the curling shape for the hair tress during the hair setting or dressing time, and providing comfort for milady during the sleeping hours when the hair is wound on the curlers.

As hereinbefore set forth, the core 12 is preferably tubular whereby any suitable clamping apparatus may be utilized for securing the curler 10 to the hair tress 22. Substantially any suitable or well known clamping apparatus may be utilized, and in no manner is the clamping member limited to the hobby pin 26 depicted herein. In addition, the core 12 may be of cylindrical configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, or may be of substantially any other desired configuration, as will be hereinafter set forth.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a modified curler 34 is depicted which comprises a rigid tubular inner core member 36 having a padded outer covering 38 provided thereon. An additional layer of padding material 40 is provided adjacent one end of the curler 34, and a similar additional layer of padding material 42 is provided at the opposed end thereof. In this manner, the opposite end portions of the curler 34 are enlarged for facilitating the handling thereof during the winding of the hair thereon. Furthermore, the enlarged end portions 40 and 42 facilitate the winding of the hair on the central portion 44 4 of the curler by substantially precluding any accidental shifting of the hair or slipping of the hair off the ends of the curler during the winding operation. This not only facilitates the dressing of ones own hair, but also enhances the handling of the curler by a professional beautician, or the like.

The padding 38 is preferably a perforated sponge or foam rubber material, as clearly shown in FIG. 6, and may be provided with an adhesive surface (not shown) on one face thereof for facilitating securing of the material to the core 36. The padding material 40 and 42 is preferably a similar perforated foam rubber. It will be apparent that the core 36 is preferably similarly perfo rated complementary to be padding 38, or many be constructed of the rigid mesh material hereinbefore set forth, and the perforations of the padding material and the core 36 permit a circulation of air through the curler 34 whereby wet hair wound thereon will tend to dry more quickly. In addition, the perforations lend themselves to the utilization of a rod or pin type securing member 46, which is in widespread use today. I

The dressing of the hair with the curler 34 is similar to that hereinbefore set forth. The hair tress 22 may be wound around the central portion 44 of the curler 34 by grasping the enlarged portions and rolling or rotating the curler about the longitudinal axis thereof. The enlarged end portions 40 and 42 tend to maintain the hair curl centrally disposed on the curler, thus providing a neat and efiicient dressing for the hair. When the hair has been found around the curler 34 as desired, the pin 46 may be inserted substantially transversely through the curler, as is well known, for securing the curler to miladys head. The curler 34 will remain securely in position during sleeping hours, and the rigid core 36 will provide an efficient curling of the hair while the padding 38, 40 and 42 provide for comfort for milady.

As hereinbefore set forth, the core portion of the novel curlers may be of substantially any configuration in ac cordance with the type of hair curl being effected. For example, a core member 48 of a substantially hour glass configuration is depicted in FIG. 7. An outer layer of padding 50 is secured around the core 48 as hereinbe fore set forth. This configuration for the core 48 pro vides a curler wherein the hair tress 22 being wound thereon tends to remain in the central portion thereof in much the same manner as with the curler 34.

It is often desirable to provide a curler of a substantially cylindrical configuration wherein one end thereof is somewhat larger than the opposite end thereof. It will be readily apparent that such a curler may be provided by forming the inner mandrel or core portion of a configuration complementary thereto and covering the core with the padding material or foam rubber. It is anticipated that substantially any type of curling rod may be covered with the foam rubber, either with an adhesive surface, or by securing the material to the core in any suitable manner, to provide an improved hair curler wherein an efficient dressing of the hair may be accomplished with a maximum of comfort to the user. The foam rubber material may be carried by a dispenser similar to that utilized with adhesive cellophane tape whereby milady may cover her own hair curlers, if desired.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel hair curler wherein a rigid inner rod is covered with a suitable padding material whereby sufiicient rigidity is provided to efficiently curl the hair and at the same time a maximum of comfort is provided for milady, particularly during the sleeping hours when the hair is Wound on the curlers. The novel curler may be securely retained on miladys head for assuring an efficient dressing of the hair, and substantially reduces the drying time for dampened hair wound thereon. The novel curler is simple and efiicient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A hair curler for facilitating sleeping thereon and comprising a perforate tubular inner mandrel of substantially cylindrical configuration, said mandrel being of a semi-rigid construction for retaining a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration during sleeping on the curler, an outer covering of foam material secured to the outer periphery of the perforate mandrel for receiving a lock of hair thereon, said outer covering having the characteristic of inducing the hair to adhere thereto and a thickness suflicient to provide a cushion for sleeping on the curler while retaining an outer periphery of substantially circular cross-sectional configuration for enhancing the curling operation, said perforate mandrel cooperating with the foam material for facilitating circulation of air to the lock of hair for enhancing the drying thereof, and pin means to extend over at least a portion of the foam material and through the perforate inner mandrel for securing the curler to the hair.

2. A hair curler for facilitating sleeping thereon and comprising a semi-rigid perforate inner mandrel of substantially cylindrical configuration for retaining a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration during sleeping on the curler, an outer covering of foam materia-l secured to the outer periphery of the perforate mandrel for receiving a lock of hair thereon, said outer covering having the characteristic of inducing the hair to adhere thereto and of a thickness sufiicient to provide a cushion for sleeping on the curler while retaining an outer periphcry of substantially circular cross-sectional configuration for enhancing the curling operation, said perforate mandrel cooperating with the foam material for facilitating circulation of air to the lock of hair for enhancing drying thereof, an additional layer of foam material provided on the opposed ends of the curler for retaining the hair in the central portion thereof, and pin means to extend through at least a portion of the foam material and per forated inner mandrel for securing the curler to the hair.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 18,088 Boyden June 2, 1931 2,800,911 Solomon July 30, 1957 2,838,054 Fischer June 10, 1958 2,937,649 Greshan et al May 24, 1960 2,941,534 Otto et a1 June 21, 1960 2,960,989 Magee Nov. 22, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,180,242 France Dec. 29, 1958 

